Keeping your computed tomography intellectually challenged might be the key to his or her felicity : According to newresearchin theJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery[PDF ] , making African tea solve puzzles to get to their food might be good for both their worked up and physical wellness .
Researchers from the University of California , Berkeley compiled case studies on 30 African tea with health and behavioural issues and found that solid food puzzles were efficient in ease a immense chain of mountains of problems , from corpulency to anxiety . In one case , an obese eight - year - old cat shed 20 percent of his bodyweight within a year of puzzle effectuation . In another , a two - year - old cat ’s fear of people importantly decreased after his owners enforce intellectual nourishment teaser . investigator also encounter caseful in which food teaser alleviate noise phobias , bitter , micturition outside of the litter box , and a scope of depression and anxiety symptoms . The mystifier were also colligate to improve eternal sleep and increased playfulness in several suit .
Researchers trust cat have a natural inherent aptitude to work for their food : For indoor cats , deprived of the chance to hunt , that inherent aptitude often remains unfulfilled . Researchers think that food puzzle — for instance , widget that cats can push or roll to accession kibble — keep hombre stir and accomplish an congenital desire to hunt or forage for intellectual nourishment . solid food puzzles also keep bozo fighting , which may help them maintain a intelligent weighting .

intellectual nourishment mystifier come in a range of styles , and researcher note that different puzzles work for different Caterpillar . Some puzzles can be made at home using ballock carton and body of water bottle , while others are more elaborate : One veterinarian createdmouse - shape food toysfor felines on the prowl , while another cat lover went so far as to progress a complex Rube Goldberg – inspiredfeeding machineto keep his advanced kitty happy .
[ h / tGizmodo ]
Know of something you think we should cover ? netmail us attips@mentalfloss.com .